General News
8 May, 2026
Wag marks 50 years with band
Maryborough's Darryl Wagstaff celebrated his half-century milestone with the Maryborough City Brass Band recently.
Maryborough’s Darryl Wagstaff has marked a half-century with the Maryborough City Brass Band, an achievement he credits to a love of music and community involvement.
On Anzac Day, 1976, a young blonde-haired boy, still in his tech school uniform, made his first appearance with the local brass band.
Fifty years on that same boy, now a bald man, led the ceremony’s march as the drum major — a role he’s had for 30 years.
“To be there, to serve and entertain the community, is the enjoyment I get out of it,” he said.
“It’s an important thing to keep going.”
The Maryborough City Brass Band dates back to 1898 with Mr Wagstaff just the latest in that legacy.
He’s worn many hats in his time but most recently drum major since 1996 and president for 24 years.
“You carry it forward because of what was in the past,” he said.
While brass bands are declining across the country, the local band seems to thrive, which member Isla Douglas credits in part to Mr Wagstaff’s leadership.
“Through Wag mostly we’ve got a really strong membership ... if you haven’t got a strong leader things tend to fall apart pretty quick,” she said.
Director of music Vinnie Bourke described him as a “real believer” of brass band which Neville Trembath, member for over 65 years, agreed with.
“Very seldom does he miss a practice ... he’s usually there with brass knobs on,” Mr Trembath said.
Mr Wagstaff said he met hundreds of people through brass band, with many members having come and gone, more still throughout its history.
“I probably do what I do for the ones who have gone before me. To keep that memory, to keep that legacy, to keep the drive,” Mr Wagstaff said.
Among them was his mentor, and the man who taught him to play the cornet, local Jack Harris.
Mr Wagstaff described him as “Mr Music” — having joined the local band in 1921 and remaining heavily involved into his 80s.
“To be taught by him was a great honour,” Mr Wagstaff said.
He recalled Mr Harris coming to class one day and asking if anyone wanted to learn a brass instrument — a week later Mr Wagstaff and a half dozen others were in his class.
“I idolised Jack ... because he was brass band to the tee, to the core, everything he did he did for everybody else,” he said.
In some ways Mr Wagstaff continues that legacy — both in how he plays and his commitment to brass band.
“I just kept marching and playing,” he said.